Great Lakes Loons' mascot Lou E. Loon plays Cupid on Valentine's Day

ESSEXVILLE, MI – Lots of people receive flowers or candy for Valentine’s Day, but Michael Kelly went for originality when selecting a gift for his wife.

That’s why Michael had his Valentine’s Day gift delivered to his wife Barbara while she was working by Lou E. Loon, the mascot of the Great Lakes Loons baseball team.

“I had absolutely no idea,” said Barbara, who is a 5th grade teacher at Hughes Elementary in Essexville.

Barbara was teaching when Lou E. Loon entered the room and surprised her with a gift basket containing two tickets to the Loons home opener, candy and a Loons blanket among other things. Her students were as surprised as she was.

Michael said he got the idea when he saw an advertisement for Lou E.’s Valentine’s Day delivery service.

“Since my wife is a 5th grade teacher I thought the kids would enjoy it as much as she does,” Michael said.

Before the gift arrived, Michael said he thought Barbara would be very surprised.

“I think she will enjoy it if she doesn’t faint when she sees the loon,” he said jokingly.

Barbara didn’t faint, but she might be looking for a gift for her husband after school gets out today.

“He bought a trolling motor at Cabela’s last night and I jokingly told him that was his present,” she said. “We don’t usually do Valentine’s Day gifts.”

Michael wasn't sure his wife would be able to top his gift.

"I think I set the bar pretty high, but we'll see," he said.

Barbara said her and Michael have become Loons fans over the past few years since their son, John, started playing little league baseball.

“We have been taking him to games the past few years, so I’m looking forward to this,” she said.

Matt Hoffman, promotional manager for the Loons, accompanied Lou E. while he delivered the gift basket.

“This is the second year we have offered the promotion and it’s become a pretty big hit,” Hoffman said. “We have been making deliveries since 7 a.m. and will probably be going until 7 p.m.”

Hoffman said Barbara’s delivery was the 16th of 28 orders for the day.

The Great Lakes Loons are a low-A minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team moved to its current park in Midland after the 2006 season.